Kenneth Cole Style Guide: What to Wear to Work

“Looking for some cubicle chic? Break up the monotony of your wardrobe. File away a few outfit ideas and brighten up your day-to-day. Watch our style guide and you’ll be saying TGI Monday, Tuesday…” From KennethCole.com

The cliche is “Dress for the job you want.” And nobody really wants to work in a cubicle. But if you take the latest KennethCole.com Style Guide seriously, expect to be stuck in your three walled beige holding pen for awhile.

What they got right, and what they got wrong, after the video.

Good Grief. Dear Kenneth Cole: I like you guys a lot. I own two of your suits and I love em’. But when it comes to these style guides… you’re killing me smalls.

This is a good look for a guy in a creative field who doesn’t deal with potential clients or management on a daily basis. But if you do like 95% of the desk jockeys out there? Wearing a t-shirt to the office won’t promote confidence in your customers or your boss. Dress better (translation: more formal) than you should, and you’ll get noticed for all the right reasons. Here’s how to do it:

What they got RIGHT

Yes the entire point of this style guide is to brighten up your daily look. And the Canvas Day bag certainly does that. The Navy Canvas and brown leather straps are a great combination, even though the square shape gets it close to “murse” territory. But if the top boss picks up on how great of a job you’re doing, he asks to buy you lunch and talk business, and you grab that on the way out the door… it ain’t gonna look as good. Try the cheaper Kenneth Cole Portfolio and you’ll look like you’re ready for the next step..

What they got WRONG

Outerwear is meant to be worn outdoors. A windbreaker is outerwear. If you wear it all day at the office you’ll look like you just showed up… all day at the office. Swap that out for the just right for the office (or cocktail bar) Alfani Red two button blazer. Structured a little more than a standard S, M, or L blazer, but not so much so that it looks like a suit jacket. On sale for $70..

Here comes the color. Laid back enough for a casual office, but still has… y’know, a collar… the J. Crew Gingham shirt brightens up your look without reducing your credibility. T-shirts will do that. A v-neck t-shirt will REALLY do that if you have any kind of chest hair. Combine the gingham with a knit black tie for a business style boost..

Anyone else getting the feeling that if Kenneth Cole had his way, everyone would wear his sneakers, everywhere? They make extremely stylish loafers, dress shoes, and boots… why always the sneakers? Anyway.. try the Aldo McPhearson Loafers. They’ve got a touch of monk-strap feel for only $80.00.

I actually really like the black version of the Kenneth Cole touch screen watch. But I wouldn’t even wear that one to work. Big digital numbers are trendy, and not appropriate for any workplace. The Hilfiger Alrington Chrono is cheaper, beefy, and will look great with the white pants and gingham shirt. Want to ad one more sting of color? Try the Swiss Military Hanowa Sealander in Green for $120.00

One Final Note

Y’know that guy in your office who’s a higher up but doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing? The one who gets in your way and uses his seniority to get what he wants. Remember this: it’ll be much tougher for him to throw his weight around with you, if you’re in a blazer and good shoes, and he’s wearing bad khakis and a camp shirt. Francis Bacon was right: knowledge is power. But if you know what you’re talking about, and you’re dressed better than the person you’re having a disagreement with? You’re damn near invincible.

Comments

Aside from the watch and the white jeans/chinos, I kind of have to disagree with dappered. Both looks are good, but KC’s is obviously more laid back/casual. In my office no one comes even close to blazer level, mostly tee shirts and jeans, sweatshirts in the winter. A few of the women dress up a little more than that, but still below a blazer. I definitely like to dress better than that myself, but wouldn’t feel right wearing a blazer to work every day. KC’s look looks stylish but not too business-y for a very laid back web development company like mine.

I have to agree with Bryan, I own a IT consulting firm and in the office, the dress environment is very laid back, except when you are going to meet clients. That said, no one should ever wear a v-neck unless they are Italian and also wear gold chains. That track-jacket is something that should have died at an early ’80s dog track.

I can’t wear PF Flyers or Jack Purcell’s to work anymore. Not because I can’t, but because it makes me feel too laid back. Too… just too like a kid I think? Just me, but… I think I work better when I’m dressed in an upscale way. (And I wear jeans at least 4/5 days in the week) But, you don’t want to stick out either. When in Rome, right?

I normally wear desert boots or driving loafers (since the warmer days) to work. I guess yea I probably wouldn’t wear PF’s or Jack Purcell’s to work either. I could, though, and not have the most dressed down shoes in the office. The key is definitely not sticking out too much while still being a bit more upscale and stylish. I think the blazer might be a bit much for my company, but the rest would be good. I would take the canvas bag over the leather for my company, though.

The blazer is not a must unless its cold. But a gingham shirt and knit tie will always look better than a v-neck. IF, and that’s a big IF, you feel really casual and its a Friday then use the v-neck but take the blazer. Not the crappy windbreaker. I just think that dappered’s options are more professional. If you can’t take them all at the same time without feeling too Roger sterling (which its really not even close to) take at least one of those options at a time. And you’re right Joe, those guys give too much credit to their sneakers. They’re pretty…ugly in my opinion.

It is the same reason you don’t wear a 3-piece suit to a casual diner or bar. Not only does dressing way above the occasion make you look snobbish, but it also is rude to the other people who then feel inadequate.

In a very casual work environment, where people are wearing sweatshirts, jeans, tee shirts, flip flops, hats, sneakers, or any combination thereof, you want to look good but still fit into the general feel. Not ostracize yourself from your coworkers.

In some of our workplaces (web/tech companies especially, seemingly), dress loafers and a blazer just don’t fit the feel. However, there are still ways to look good and remain somewhat down to earth, and that was the point I/we was try to make. 🙂

I am going to agree with the consensus. Although the more formal look is what I go for (and accountant), I like the casual look for a laid back office. I would switch the sneakers to maybe some stn smith or chuck taylors. Aside from that I like it, although I wouldnt personally wear any of it.

I like his look, but he really looks like he’s a backup dancer for the Black Eyed Peas, or headed to the park, not like he’s going to work.

I understand where everyone else is coming from, where I work even the owner came in last week with a Led Zeppelin shirt, cargo shorts and sandals. But I do work in a luxury services industry, and it doesn’t make sense that the people who rotate our clients’ tires wear ties and we wear t-shirts. I’m upping my game hoping others will follow.

Let’s try to dress better, not to the lowest common denominator.

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